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caterpillar

It’s been so long and I’ve missed it! There’s nothing like a deadline to make you start browsing patterns online. A friend’s baby is due in December and it was just the nudge I needed. I found this adorable jumper by Hennie on Ravelry – the Very Hungry Caterpillar based on the children’s book. How cute is that, I thought. I love how the caterpillar goes from front to back; the leaf is a pocket and I found a ladybird button in my stash which was just the right size.

There was an option to work the caterpillar as intarsia or as applique. I opted for intarsia although I’m not very good at it, but luckily the messy bit is at the back.

Another good thing about this pattern is that there is absolutely no seaming. Front and back are worked in one piece, shoulder seams are joined by kitchener stitch, and the sleeves are pick up and knit in the round. I had never tried kitchener stitch before – a method of grafting two ‘live’ edges together, to create an invisible seam. I found some very good instructions on Craftsy and managed pretty well, with a bit of concentration.

The caterpillar’s face and little legs were embroidered on, which is something I’ve not done for a long time. So actually this little jumper involved several different skills. But it was a real joy to knit from a pattern, and enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labours. Can’t wait to give it to my friend!

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I design knitted items. Mostly cakes. I live with a man and 3 cats. I am a raw feeder and an atheist. I work full-time. There is a piano recording studio in my living room. There is cat hair in my knitting. The cats and the knitting keep me sane.